Which Fender Strat should I buy?

American? Made in Mexico? Squier? Japanese?

The real answer will surprise you, maybe not.

It’s an endless debate. Do I want to pay more money for a American version of a Stratocaster or is a Mexican good enough. Can I get by with a Squier? Or maybe I should dump my bankroll and just grab a Custom Shop Stratocaster?

The bottom line is there are many aspects to owning any stratocaster from top end to bottom end. They all have their plus and minus values. I have moved up the line to own more expensive strats over time but I STILL have some MIM stratocasters. Why? Good question, there must be a reason.

Well let’s look at a mini list of some of the things you should think about.

• How much money do you have?

Money can’t buy you love but it can get you a Stratocaster that needs almost no work done to it if at all. If you buy a less expensive Strat, it can be great, it’s cheaper in gig bucks, but chances are the neck won’t be rolled for one example, the pickups may be more basic with less control over production or even fewer windings to cut cost. The wiring is usually basic or on more expensive Strats it can have extra circuit work like Greasebucket or, Treble Boost, Coil Splitter and more.  Less expensive pots are used on Squier but often the pots on the MIM and Lower end US are the same. The paint jobs is different. The fit and finish is different. So the more expensive Stratocaster will likely be higher quality and more. Can you fix up a Mexican or Squire? Absolutely; but guess what, your may be throwing more money at it and you’ll never get that money back if you decide to get out of it, it just doesn’t have the resell value when modified. BUT if you want to do that because you love your Squier and plan to keep it, then rock on!! You can fix it quite nice with some limitations. Finally, top end strats have more neck options as do the artist models.

• Prestige

Ok. This I don’t care about but there is a perception that more expensive is better and the other camp argues that their Squier plays better than any American. Well, they obviously haven’t played a very good American then because at the top end the American models can be simply off the charts but remember, all Stratocasters have “best of’ releases” that everything was just right on it, they are amazing; if even by accident. Plus, no everyone likes the same tone or is aware of the nuances of total differences. When your dealing with lower end Strats some are just dogs for any number of reasons. Paint Flaws, Sprouted Frets, Wiring mistakes, Pickup failures, you name it. However, just because you own that Mod Shop doesn’t mean it can arrive with a dead pickup. I know, because it’s happened to me. But that’s reality, Prestige and Perception rules the personal opinion any day.

• Well which one would I play?

Any of them, but I personally only keep the ones I love (and resell the ones that are good, but just can quite cut my top end bar. I STILL own some MIM’s for different reasons. Colors can be a big deal, and it may even drive which model you get. You can upgrade any Stratocaster with new pickups and wiring so top end wiring is very easy to duplicate or exceed. Finish, not so easy unless your a painter. Most guys don’t do body work (I don’t) so I have to buy the colors I want.

• FACT: Any Stratocaster can be modified.

Almost ALL of my strats have modified electronics so I find that the finish and neck are most import parts of the guitar to me. Fit and Finish. The Fit and Finish on AM is generally of higher quality. You can take a neck from an MIM and roll the edges, etc, etc and it can be simply amazing, but stock, they usually aren’t, but they aren’t that bad either. The Mexi Deluxes can are quite good. However, have you even seen the routing on Jimi Hendrix Strat? Terrible. No paint, no nothing just badly cut wood that has burrs all over the place. Shame Fender Shame and it’s a $900 MIM with an American Performer sneaking in about 1K. Good news is that players are quite good and routed much better. But hey, some of the Squier have awesome colors with the classic versions of the Squier’s being at the top of the list.

• Why MOD Shop

If you just can’t get the combination you want with the color, neck and bridge that you want, plus you get preinstalled pickups of your choice. This is a great option but your paying a premium for it so pony up the gig bucks. For me, my thoughts are; better a Mod Shop than an off the floor Professional II.

• Buy Used (but check that serial number and the detail folks!!!!)

Hey, why not buy a used Fender Stratocaster, in near mint condition, the color you want, save some bucks and go from there? Yes, used guitars are slightly risky in that you need to know what your getting. Check the serial number ALWAYS!! Some custom shops do Fender mods from all Fender parts, that’s cool, but they MUST declare what the parts came from or don’t do business with them. They are trying to pass something off incorrectly and that’s a no no. However, I have bought MANY used mint condition guitars with incredible success. That is a very viable option.

• What guitar will see the most abuse?

I admit, my best baby’s don’t leave my studio under any circumstance but when I play out I want a guitar that can seriously perform so looks are actually somewhat secondary. The paint doesn’t have to be perfect (I’d rather it not, it’s going to get hit eventually). The electronics and neck have to be solid however so that will drive my decision on which guitar to get. If you have only ONE guitar, get one that has amazing pickups, awesome neck and bridge, and one that you won’t break down and cry if it gets banged up on the road because it will get hit…eventually.

• Relics

Personal choice. If you love a pre worn guitar and don’t want to work to get it that way to start with, get it. If you love mint condition guitars don’t get it. Simple as that, done deal.

• Money is no object

That says it all! Get whatever you want and screw the naysayers.

After all is said and done, It’s YOUR FREEKIN STRATOCASTER not theirs!!!